Meet Asa.
What made you consider nursing as a program of study?
Pursuing a career in medicine has been a goal of mine since I was a child. My name means “healer/physician.” I always believed that working in the field would be a meaningful occupation that would allow me to help others. So, this led me to start my journey in medicine as a nurse.
Why did you choose WVU School of Nursing?
The original reason that I chose WVU is because of its distinction as an R1 institute. I have always been interested in participating in research. Being an R1 institute provided me with many research opportunities throughout undergrad, especially early in my nursing career. I started doing research with Nursing professors during my freshman year and have not looked back. I absolutely love it!
The WVU SON provides so many opportunities for students to get involved in research, community involvement, and interprofessional education. This sets WVU apart from other schools of nursing and lends itself to a solid undergraduate foundation.
Could you share a positive experience from your time at the SON?
I really enjoyed my leadership rotation in my last semester. I was placed in the EICU, and they see a variety of critical care patients. All the staff and physicians truly care about their patients. I feel that this is a broader reflection of the culture that WVU SON and Ruby Memorial holds. The mentality is always patient first, and the staff all go beyond medical treatment into a more holistic view of the patient. This was an excellent experience in furthering my skills as a nurse and I have heard similar experiences from my peers placed on other units.
What’s one piece of advice you would give your freshman self?
If I could speak to my freshman self, I would say to seek out every learning opportunity available. The WVU SON has so many opportunities to pursue extracurricular learning activities. These activities let you meet new people and develop new skills.
What are your plans after graduation?
During my final summer of nursing school, I had the opportunity to complete an externship at Allegheny General Hospital in the Medical ICU. I loved my experience, and it will be a lot closer for me than Ruby Memorial, but Ruby and WVU will always be special to me.
How do you feel WVU prepared you for your next chapter?
WVU provided me with a variety of opportunities to further myself as a person both academically and socially. The resources at the university are abundant and all the staff want to assist students to be the most successful that they can be. WVU provided me with the foundation to start my career, and the necessary tools to further my education.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I have really enjoyed my time at WVU and would recommend WVU SON to anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. The professors in the WVU SON are all exceptional resources, who are also kind and caring. It was an excellent place to complete my undergraduate degree.